XRC PRO: Open-Source RC 8CH Transmitter and Receiver WITH Stm32

by ahsanbilal0309 in Circuits > Remote Control

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XRC PRO: Open-Source RC 8CH Transmitter and Receiver WITH Stm32

Overview

The XRC PRO is an advanced, open-source RC transmitter and receiver system designed to offer professional-level performance in a compact and customizable package. Built around the STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller and the NRF24L01 wireless transceiver module, the XRC PRO provides precise, real-time control for various RC applications like drones, cars, and boats. With a compact design, robust functionality, and user-friendly interface, the XRC PRO is an ideal tool for both hobbyists and professionals.

A Support From PCBWAY

This project was made possible with the incredible support and sponsorship from PCBWay. Their assistance allowed me to bring my ideas to life, and I am grateful for their commitment to supporting creators in the DIY and maker community. Thank you, PCBWay, for believing in this project!

PCBWay also offers a variety of services, including PCB assembly, 3D printing, and CNC machining. Their sponsorship program for projects like this one helps make electronics projects more accessible to everyone. By choosing PCBWay, you can bring your projects to life with confidence.

➡️ Check out PCBWay and get your first PCB for FREE : Click Here.

Supplies

Transmitter Components

1).STM32F103C8T6: ARM microcontroller (desoldered from development board and soldered to transmitter PCB)

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

2).NRF24L01 GT24 Mini: Wireless transceiver module

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

3).E11 Rotary Encoder (ENC): Rotary encoder for menu navigation

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

4).SMD 8MHz Crystal (3225): Oscillator for STM32

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

5).FC-135 32.768kHz Crystal: RTC crystal

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

6).CH340C SMD: USB to Serial Converter

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

7).Y1 (8050) NPN Transistor: General-purpose transistor

Quantity: 2

Click to Buy

8).1AM (3904) NPN Transistor: General-purpose transistor

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

9).0.96" OLED Display: For displaying transmitter status and menu

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

10).10k Ohm Resistor (SMD): Resistor for various circuits

Quantity: 4

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11).1k Ohm Resistor (SMD): Resistor for various circuits

Quantity: 4

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12).100nF Capacitor (SMD): Signal filtering capacitor

Quantity: 20

Click to Buy

13).Buzzer: Audio feedback for transmitter alerts

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

14).AMS117 (3.3V Voltage Regulator): Provides 3.3V to components

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

15).10uF Capacitor: Power stabilization and filtering

Quantity: 2

Click to Buy

16).Male Headers: Connector for modules/components

Quantity: 30

Click to Buy

17).DJI Phantom 2 Remote: Used as the transmitter enclosure (alternatives include any compatible remote/joystick)

Receiver Components

Receiver (PWM+PPM)

1).STM32F103C8T6: ARM microcontroller (desoldered from development board and soldered to receiver PCB)

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

2).NRF24L01 GT24 Mini: Wireless transceiver module

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

3).SMD 8MHz Crystal (3225): Oscillator for STM32

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

4).40.1AM (3904) NPN Transistor: General-purpose transistor

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

5).AMS117 (3.3V Voltage Regulator): Provides 3.3V to components

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

6).10uF Capacitor: Power stabilization and filtering

Quantity: 2

Click to Buy

7).100nF Capacitor (SMD): Signal filtering capacitor

Quantity: 4

Click to Buy

8).Male Headers: Connector for modules/components

Quantity: 30

Click to Buy

Receiver (PPM+SBUS)

1).STM32F103C8T6: ARM microcontroller (desoldered from development board and soldered to receiver PCB)

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

2).NRF24L01 GT24 Mini: Wireless transceiver module

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

3).SMD 8MHz Crystal (3225): Oscillator for STM32

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

4).40.1AM (3904) NPN Transistor: General-purpose transistor

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

5).AMS117 (3.3V Voltage Regulator): Provides 3.3V to components

Quantity: 1

Click to Buy

6).10uF Capacitor: Power stabilization and filtering

Quantity: 2

Click to Buy

7).100nF Capacitor (SMD): Signal filtering capacitor

Quantity: 4

Click to Buy

8).Male Headers: Connector for modules/components

Quantity: 30

Click to Buy

Schematic-PCB Layout-3D Preview-Final Result

The XRC PRO has multiple PCBs and it consists of three main PCBs: the Transmitter PCB, the 8-channel PWM+PPM Receiver PCB, and the PPM+SBUS Receiver PCB. Each PCB was carefully designed for space efficiency and optimal performance.

Transmitter PCBs

The Transmitter PCB is built around the STM32F103C8T6, NRF24L01 module, OLED display, and various input buttons (trim, menu, encoder). The schematic includes connections for power management (5v to 3.3v), data lines for the OLED, and button inputs for settings navigation etc.

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Menu-Keys

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Rotary Encoder+Switch

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Trim Buttons

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Type C Jack

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Receciver PCBs

8-channel PWM+PPM Receiver PCB

The 8-channel receiver supports both PWM and PPM outputs. It is based on the NRF24L01 and STM32F103C8T6 for signal decoding and generation.

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

PPM+SBUS Receiver PCB

The PPM+SBUS receiver is another compact design focused on supporting more advanced control protocols. It also features the STM32F103C8T6 for signal processing and output.

Schematic and PCB Layout

2D and 3D Preview

Final Result

Downloads

TRANSMITTER Schematic.pdf

RECEIVER_PWM_PPM Schematic.pdf

MINI_RECEIVER_PPM_SBUS Schematic.pdf

Visual and Physical Connections

I’ve designed a detailed, color-coded connection schematic for all inputs and outputs, making it easy for anyone to assemble the XRC PRO transmitter and receivers. Additionally, I’ve included high-quality these images in PDF format, which you can download below.

Transmitter

Receiver(PWM+PPM)

Receiver(PPM+SBUS)

Downloads

Transmitter_and_Receivers_visual_connections_Schematic.pdf

Firmware Overview

The XRC PRO's firmware is developed in Keil uVision using the CMSIS framework for STM32. It is fully open-source, with modular code to allow easy customization and extension of the system's capabilities. The main focus of the firmware is on handling communication between the transmitter and receivers, as well as managing the various control inputs.

Here the whole files in KeiluVision:

Below are the functions broken down from the main execution code, organized into smaller functional blocks. These functions are intended to be modular and handle specific tasks like initialization, signal strength calculation, display management, and event handling:

1. setup()

This function initializes all the necessary hardware peripherals and sets up the system for operation.

void setup() {

// Initialize the delay function for timekeeping

delayInit();

// Initialize USART for serial communication

usart1Init();

// Initialize timers for PWM and other timing-related functions

timer2Init();

timer3Init();

// Initialize DMA for memory transfers

dmaInit();

// Initialize ADC for analog reading (e.g., battery level)

adcInit();

// Initialize NRF24L01 for wireless communication

if (nrf24l01Init() == NRF_OK) {

nrf24l01SetModeTX(); // Set NRF to transmit mode

} else {

// Handle NRF24L01 initialization error

beepError();

}

// OLED display initialization and show start-up screen

oledInit();

oledShowLogo();

// Perform throttle self-check and configure NRF24L01 power mode

throttleSelfCheck();

// Set up low-power mode if necessary

lowPowerModeConfig();

}

2. loop()

The main loop that continuously runs during operation. It handles the display updates, signal strength checks, and key events.

void loop() {

// Handle clock alarms and time display on the OLED

handleClockAlarm();

// Update OLED display with throttle values and battery percentage

displayThrottleValues();

displayBatteryLevel();

// Update signal strength display

updateSignalStrength();

// Check for key events and menu navigation

keyEventHandle();

// Handle menu events, if any

menuEventHandle();

// Small delay to avoid constant polling

delay(50);

}

3. keyEventHandle()

Handles user input through key presses. This function updates throttle settings and processes navigation within the menu.

void keyEventHandle() {

if (isKeyPressed(KEY_LEFT)) {

// Adjust throttle channel for left-hand throttle

adjustThrottleLeft();

}

if (isKeyPressed(KEY_RIGHT)) {

// Adjust throttle channel for right-hand throttle

adjustThrottleRight();

}

// Update OLED display with new throttle or menu setting

oledRefresh();

// Save user data or preferences (e.g., throttle setting)

saveUserDataToFlash();

}

4. addSignalStrengthSample()

Adds a new sample to the signal strength buffer and maintains a moving average of signal strength.

void addSignalStrengthSample(int newSignalStrength) {

// Add new signal strength to the sample buffer

signalStrengthBuffer[sampleIndex] = newSignalStrength;

// Update sample index for circular buffer

sampleIndex = (sampleIndex + 1) % SIGNAL_STRENGTH_BUFFER_SIZE;

}

5. getAverageSignalStrength()

Calculates the moving average of the signal strength based on the collected samples.

int getAverageSignalStrength() {

int sum = 0;

for (int i = 0; i < SIGNAL_STRENGTH_BUFFER_SIZE; i++) {

sum += signalStrengthBuffer[i];

}

return sum / SIGNAL_STRENGTH_BUFFER_SIZE;

}

6. displaySignalIcon()

Displays the signal strength icon on the OLED based on the signal strength percentage.

void displaySignalIcon(int signalStrengthPercent) {

if (signalStrengthPercent >= 75) {

oledDrawIcon(iconSignal100);

} else if (signalStrengthPercent >= 50) {

oledDrawIcon(iconSignal75);

} else if (signalStrengthPercent >= 25) {

oledDrawIcon(iconSignal50);

} else if (signalStrengthPercent > 0) {

oledDrawIcon(iconSignal25);

} else {

oledDrawIcon(iconSignalOff);

}

7.NRF24L01 Initialization

Initializes the NRF24L01 module and sets it in transmit mode.

void nrf24l01InitAndCheck() {

// Initialize NRF24L01

if (nrf24l01Init() == NRF_OK) {

// Set NRF24L01 to transmit mode

nrf24l01SetModeTX();

} else {

// Handle NRF24L01 error by beeping and showing error message

beepError();

oledShowErrorMessage("NRF24L01 ERROR");

}

8.Sending Data Packets: sendDataPacket()

This function creates a 32-byte data packet and sends it using the NRF24L01 module. The packet contains a data header and channel values (PWM data).

u8 sendDataPacket(void)

{

u8 chPacket[32]; // Array to hold the data packet

u16 t = 0;

u8 sendIsOK; // Flag to check if sending is successful

for (t = 0; t < 16; t++)

{

if (t == 0) // Add data header (0x00)

{

chPacket[2 * t] = 0x00;

chPacket[2 * t + 1] = 0x00;

}

else if (t <= chNum) // Add PWM channel data

{

chPacket[2 * t] = (u8)(PWMvalue[t - 1] >> 8) & 0xFF; // High byte of 16-bit PWM value

chPacket[2 * t + 1] = (u8)PWMvalue[t - 1] & 0xFF; // Low byte of 16-bit PWM value

}

else // Fill unused bytes with 0xFF (padding)

{

chPacket[2 * t] = 0xFF;

chPacket[2 * t + 1] = 0xFF;

}

sendIsOK = NRF24L01_TxPacket(chPacket); // Transmit the packet

return sendIsOK; // Return status of the transmission (success or failure)

}

9.Signal Strength Calculation: getSignalStrength()

This function measures the signal strength by sending multiple packets and calculating the percentage of successful transmissions.

int getSignalStrength(void)

{

const int totalPackets = 40; // Total number of packets to send

int successfulPackets = 0; // Counter for successful transmissions

if (setData.NRF_Mode == ON) // If the NRF mode is ON

{

NRF24L01_TX_Mode(setData.NRF_Power); // Set NRF to transmit mode

}

else

{

NRF24L01_LowPower_Mode(); // Otherwise, set it to low-power mode

}

// Loop to send multiple packets

for (int i = 0; i < totalPackets; i++)

{

if (sendDataPacket() == TX_OK) // If the packet was sent successfully

{

successfulPackets++; // Increment success counter

}

delay_us(700); // Short delay between transmissions

}

// Calculate signal strength as a percentage of successful packets

int signalStrength = (successfulPackets * 100) / totalPackets;

return signalStrength;

}

10. updateSignalStrength()

Updates the signal strength display and checks if the receiver is connected. It also adds a new sample to the signal strength buffer.

void updateSignalStrength() {

// Get current signal strength from NRF24L01

int currentSignalStrength = nrf24l01GetSignalStrength();

// Add the sample to the signal strength buffer

addSignalStrengthSample(currentSignalStrength);

// Calculate the average signal strength

int avgSignalStrength = getAverageSignalStrength();

// Display the corresponding signal strength icon

displaySignalIcon(avgSignalStrength);

// Check if receiver is connected

if (avgSignalStrength > SIGNAL_STRENGTH_THRESHOLD) {

receiverConnected();

} else {

receiverDisconnected();

}

11. menuEventHandle()

Handles the user interface menu and responds to user input for changing settings.

void menuEventHandle() {

// Check if a specific menu item is selected

if (isMenuItemSelected(MENU_ITEM_PWM_ADJUST)) {

adjustPWMSettings();

}

if (isMenuItemSelected(MENU_ITEM_CHANNEL_CALIBRATION)) {

calibrateChannels();

}

// Refresh OLED display with updated menu or settings

oledMenuRefresh();

}

12. Battery Voltage Display

Updates the battery level icon and percentage on the OLED based on the battery voltage.

void displayBatteryLevel() {

float batteryVoltage = readBatteryVoltage();

int batteryPercent = convertVoltageToPercentage(batteryVoltage);

// Display the battery icon and percentage on the OLED

oledDrawBatteryIcon(batteryPercent);

if (batteryVoltage < BATTERY_WARNING_THRESHOLD) {

// Beep to warn low battery

beepWarning();

}

13. Clock and Alarm Handling

Handles the clock and alarm functionality, beeping when an alarm is triggered.

void handleClockAlarm() {

// Check if the clock alarm is active

if (isAlarmActive()) {

// Beep if the alarm time is reached

beepAlarm();

// Display alarm icon on the OLED

oledDrawIcon(iconAlarm);

}

// Update the time on the OLED display

displayCurrentTime();

}

These functions represent the core operations of the system, which handles initialization, user input, signal strength monitoring, display updates, and more. Each function focuses on a specific aspect of the overall operation, making the code more modular and easier to manage.

Firmware Uploading

To upload the firmware to the transmitter and receivers, follow the connection diagram below. It shows how I connected the CH340 USB-to-TTL adapter to both the transmitter and receivers.

Connections

Transmitter

There are two methods of uploading code into transmitter.First,you can directly upload the code via USB TYPE-C Interface. Second,you can upload the code with the help of USB to TTL (ch340 driver).

Rceiver(PWM+PPM)

Receiver(PPM+SBUS)

Software

Download and install the STMicroelectronics Flash Loader Demonstrator software: Click to download

Steps

Follow:

Plug the USB serial converter into the PC.
Press the reset button on the STM32 board.
Select the COM port in the software.
Click 'Next,Next and Next.
Select Download to device.Click on 3 dots and select the hex file.
Select Global Erase.After that Click on Next
Within 15 seconds, the code will be uploaded to the device.
After finsihed.Click Close.

Downloads

Transmitter.hex

Receiver.hex